Winch control



March 4, 1941. R, K. HATCH wmcu common Filed Nov. 23, 1938 .2 Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTOR E m /{k226i v g I,

M s'faw A TTORNE Y March 4, 1941. K, HATCH. 2,233,703

- wmcu common ild Nov. 23, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I M. A TTORNE Y5.

Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINCH CONTROL Application November 23, 1938, Serial No. 241,953

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to improved winch constructions and to improved means for operating the'same.

One of the primary objects of the present inventionis to provide an improved winchconstruction having a pair of drums, or spools, thereon in which one of the drums may be used for the live load and the other drum for shifting the load when raised either by a direct connection to the load or by connection to the boom, and in which said other drum is operatedin an improved manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved winch construction of the type mentioned in which one of the drums has a clutch and a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated therewith, in which the clutch and pawl are actuated by a single lever. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved winch construction of the type mentioned in which a resilient means .is included in the operating connection between the lever and the pawl and clutch mechanism so that the pawl and clutch are resiliently urged into and out of operative connection with their respective complementary elements on the spool with which they are associated.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved winch construction of the type mentioned having safety features which insure engagementof a safety pawl until after a'driving tional view, with parts in elevation, of an improved winch construction according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 2-,-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 -3 of Fig. 1'; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

The winch of the present invention is particularly adapted for mounting on trucks or other vehicles; but it is also of general utility and may be stationarily mounted as well.

Referring to'the drawings in which one embodiment of the present invention is specifically illustrated, a winch construction is shown including a frame work comprising longitudinally extending angle sections I0 connected together by transversely extending, upstanding plate members l 2, which may be welded together at suitable intervals along the length of the members Ill. Another transversely extending, upstanding plate member I4 is disposed adjacent one end of the members 10 and is welded thereto. The top edge of the plate member l4 extends above the top of the members I!) with the corners out way to support a transverse plate member it which may be welded to the top edge, following the contour thereof, and to the angle members In, as best shown in Fig. 3.

A transversely extending, upstanding mounting bracket I8 is disposed between the upstanding sides of the angle members Ill adjacent oneend thereof and is welded thereto. The members I2, l4, I6 and IB'serve as mounting means for shafts and other elements of the winch construction in a manner that will become more apparent from the following description.

The bracket I8 serves to mount a bearing means 20 which rotatably supports one end of a drive shaft 22. The driving gear housing 24 is mounted on the angle members III of the frame intermediate the ends of the shaft 22 to serve as the other support for the shaft as well as support gearing therein. The housing 24is provided with aligned bosses 26 having openings 28 therethrough, through which the shaft 22 extends. Bushings 30 are disposed within the openings 23 and engage the shaft 22.

A worm wheel 32 is disposed within the housing 24 and is suitably keyed to the shaft 22. A worm 34 is disposed within the lower part of the housing in mesh with the, wheel 32, and is keyed tov a transverse shaft 36 mounted within .suitable bearings on the housing. The forward end of the shaft 36 extends within a housing 38rwhich has mounted therein a worm shaft safety brake (not shown) of suitable construction. The rear end of the shaft 36 extends outwardly of the housing 24 and has fixed thereto a drive sprocket 40 which may be suitably connected to a suitable type of power drive.

It is evident from the above that the shaft 22 is driven by the sprocket 40 through the worm 34 and worm wheel 32; and it is to be understood,

that the drive means is reversible so that the shaft 22 maybe driven in either direction.

A main drum or spool 42 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 22 on one side of the housing 24, and another drum or spool 44 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 22 on the opposite side of the housing. Bushings 46 and 46 are disposed between the axial openings through the spools 42 and 44, respectively, and the shaft 22 so that the spools are free to rotate on the shaft. Suitable lubricating means are associated with the spools.

The drum or spool 44 has an integral, annular portion 56 formed with ratchet teeth 52 so that this portion forms a ratchet wheel integral with the spool. The ratchet teeth have a curved base which serves to force the pawl out of engagement with the wheel upon rotation of the spool 44 clockwise, viewing Fig. 3, and have an undercut edge 54, as best seen in Fig. 3, and are adapted to be engaged by a pawl 56. The mounting and actuating means for the pawl will be described in detail hereinafter.

A thrust ring 58 is mounted on the shaft 22 and engages the outer side of the hub of drum 44 to prevent axial displacement of those elements mounted on the shaft. The hub on the drum 44 is formed with integral teeth 60 which embrace the ring 68 and which are adapted to releasably engage complementary teeth 62 on a sliding clutch element 64. The driving faces of the teeth 60 and 62 are square, while the back faces are beveled. These beveled faces have a cam action on the jaw 64, and serve to force the jaw out of engagement with the spool upon rotation of the spool clockwise, viewing Fig. 3, when the pawl is in engagement with the teeth 52. When the pawl is out of engagement with the wheel and the spool is rotating counterclockwise, the clutch is driven counterclockwise and the load on the spool keeps the square driving faces of teeth 66 and 62 in engagement. The clutch jaw 64 is slidably mounted on the end of the shaft 22 and is keyed thereto for rotation therewith and for axial movement into and out of driving engagement with the teeth 60. A 'washer 65 is fixed to the end of shaft 22 and serves as a stop to limit the axial movement of the sliding jaw 64.

A bell crank 66 having yoke arms 68 with turned fingers III is pivotally mounted on pivot pins 12 so that the fingers I6 engage within an annular groove II in clutch element 64. The ends of the pins I2 are received through aligned openings in upstanding angle brackets I4 which are suitably fixed to the top surface of plate I6. The pins I2 may be in'tne form of a bolt having a nut thereon so that the pin may be fixed to the plate I4. The crank 66 has an outwardly extending arm I6 which is pivotally connected by pivot pin I8 to the upper end of an adjustable link bolt 60. v v

The link extends downwardly within a slot 8| in plate I6, the lower end thereof is pivotally connected to one end of the crank arm 82, the other end of the arm being provided with an opening therethrough which receives therein a shaft 84. The arm 62 is fixed to the shaft 84 for rotation therewith and may be so fixed in a number of ways. fiat-sided opening through the arm for cooperation with a complementarily shaped shaft having a flat formed thereon. The shaft 84 may be journaled within aligned openings in the frame .cross plates I2 and I4 and be fixed against axial displacement by means of collars 86 which em- One such way is to broach a brace and are fixed to the shaft and bear against I plates I2 and I4.

An operating shaft lever 88, which is spaced inwardly from the arm 82, has an opening through the upper end thereof which receives therethrough the shaft 84. The lever 88 and shaft I14 are suitably fixed together so that the shaft rotates with the turning of the lever. The lower end of the lever has an opening therethrough which rotatably receives therein the stub shaft 96 of a trunnion member 92. The trunnion- 92, has an axial opening therethrough which slidably embraces an operating rod 94. A block member 96 is fixed to the rod 94 intermediate the ends thereof, and the ends 91 ofthe rod are threaded. Coil springs 98 are disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion 92 and are compressed between the oppositeends of the trunnion and one end of the member 96 and a washer 99, respectively. Nuts IIlI are threadably received over the inner end of rod 94 and may be threaded therealong to vary the force exerted by springs 98. This construction provides a resilient connection between lever-86 and rod 94 so that the lever 89 is resiliently urged in both directions,

forwardly and backwardly, depending upon the direction of the force applied to shift rod 94.

An operating shaft I62 is mounted forwardly of the front member III on outboard brackets I04 which are suitably fixed to the member III.

The pawl 56 is provided with an opening therethrough intermediate its ends for free pivotal mounting on the shaft I02. An opening is also provided through the pawl adjacent the lower. end thereof for the pivotal reception of the stub shaft 96 on a trunnion 92 which embraces the rod 94 forwardly of the block '96. Spiral springs 98 and a washer 99 are disposed over the rod 94 in the same relation and arrangement relative to the front trunnion as described above in connection with the rear trunnion to which the lever 86 is attached. This construction provides a resilient connection between the lower end of the pawl 56 and rod 94 as well as between lever 88 and rod 94, so that upon shiftingof the rod in one direction, the clutch element is resiliently urged into driving engagement with the spool 46 and the pawl is resiliently urged out of. engagement with the teeth 52. Upon shifting the rod in the otherdirection, the pawl is resiliently urged into engagement with the teeth and the element 64 is resiliently urged out of drivingengagement with the spool.

An operating lever I06 has an opening therethrough adjacent the top thereof which embraces shaft l 02 and is fixed thereto so that the lever I06 rocks upon turning the shaft in opposite directions. A connecting link I68, having its ends oppositely offset, is pivotally connected at its rear end by a pivot pin III] to the block 96 and is pivotally connected by a pivot pin H2 at its front end to the. lower end of lever 696. A

plurality of longitudinally spaced openings II4 may be provided through the lower end of lever I06 for the reception of'the pivot pin I I2 so that the throw may be varied by selecting the desired opening for the connection.

An operating lever II4, similar to the lever I66, is also fixed to the shaft I02 at the opposite end thereof which has an adjustable link I I6 pivotal-- similar to each other andwhich are mounted on a bracket I28 to form a unit for mounting on the winch. The bracket I28 includes spaced L- shaped members I30 which serve to journal a pivot shaft I32. The levers I22, I24, and I26 are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends to the shaft I32 at spaced intervals therealong and may be suitably fixed against axial displacement.

So that the levers may be neld in either operative or inoperative positit n, a quadrant member I34 having notches I36 and I38 in the upper edge thereof is provided for each of the levers-and may be fixed by a pin I42 to the top of bracket I28 and by a pin I45 to the top of member I30. An elongated member I45 is disposed longitudinally of each lever along the back thereof and is pivotally connected by a pin I46 to a bell lever finger member I48 which is pivotally connected by a pin I50 to each lever adjacent the handle thereof. The members I45 are adapted to be urged downwardly by springs (not shown) so that they engage their respective notches I36 or I38.

depending upon the position of the lever, to hold the levers in position. The members I44 may be released from the notches by drawing the finger member I48 toward the handle so that the lever may be shifted.

The hand lever I22 serves to operate the lever II4, shaft I02,'and lever I06 so that as the lever I06 is moved from one position to another it actuates the pawl 56 and the ,sliding clutch jaw 64. This movement of the lever I06 is translated to the pawl and clutch through the rod 94 and springs 98. When the member I45 of lever I22 is engaged in notch I36, the levers H4 and I06 are in their forward position so that the rod member 94 is urged forwardly. The pawl 56 is thus resiliently urged into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 50 so that the drum 44 cannot back up. .In this position, the clutch 64 is out of driving engagement with the clutch teeth 60 on the drum 44. When the lever I 22 is shifted forwardly so that the notch I38 is engaged, the levers H4 and I06 are pulled to their rear position so that the rod 94 is moved,

rearwardly. The pawl 56 is-then resiliently urged out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and the clutch 64 is moved toward the drum 44 so that the teeth 62 thereon are in driving engagement with the teeth 60. The clutch is resiliently -urged into and out of driving engagement by the spring 88 on opposite sides of the trunnion 92.

By the construction above described, a single lever is provided for moving the pawl and clutch into and out of engaging position, and both the clutch and pawl are resiliently urged bothinto and out of such position. The construction and arrangement of the elements are such that the pawl is never'out of engagement with the wheel 50 until just after the clutch'jaw. 62 is in driving engagement with the spool 44. Conversely, the

I jaw 62 is never out of driving engagement with the spool until just after the pawl hasv engaged the teeth of the wheel 50. Thus, safety of operation is insured. I

For the purpose of better understanding the operation of the mechanism and the safety aspects of the structure, the following example of driving engagement with the wheel. This will be resisted by the action of the load on the spool, which will keep the driving faces of teeth 60 and 62 in engagement until the pawl is actually engaged against the undercut surface 54 and is taking the load. This condition will exist until the drive is reversed so that the spool is rotated ,counterclockwise, when the pawl will engage the surface 54 and take the load. The pressure on the square faces of teeth 60 and 62 will then be relieved, so that the springs 88' will snap the jaw 64 out of engagement with the spool 44.

When the pawl is in engagement and the clutch is out of engagement, assume that it is then desired to lower the load and engage the clutch with the spool. The lever I22 is shifted so that the jaw 64 is resiliently urged into engaging position, but the pawl will continue to engage the undercut surface 54 until the spool is driven clockwise a sufiicient distance to relieve the pawl. b

When the pawl is relieved, the springs 98 will snap the pawl out of engagement and the clutch jaw is already in position to take the load by en'- gagement between the square faces of teeth 60 and 62. The drive may then be reversed to lower 2 constructions and will not be described in minute detail but will be described in general so that the construction and operation of the complete winch will be understood.

The spool .42 includes a pair of facin drum flanges I60 and I 62 rigidly connected together by a drum barrel or ring member I64. The drum I60 has an integral annular brake surface I66 which is engaged by a brake band I68. The ends of the band I68 are connected to a pin I'I0 which in turn. is connected to a brake operating mechanism I12. The brake operating mechanism I12 is conventional in construction and need not be described in detail, it being sufiicient to say that upon actuation of the mechanism I12 the brake band I68 is tightly drawn into frictional engagement with the brake surface I66 to slow down or stop rotation of the spool 42.

The mechanism H2 is actuated by a pivot shaft "4 which may be suitably. mounted within aligned openings in the frame members I2. An operating lever I16, similar to the lever H4 is fixedly secured to the shaft H4 at the top of the lever; and has an adjustable link I'I8 pivotally "attached to the lower end thereof by means of a pivot pin I80. The rear end of the link I18 is pivotally connected to the lower end of operating lever I26. By shifting the lever I26, the braking mechanism "2 is actuated through the link I18 and lever I'I6 to tighten or release the brake band I68. 5

The spool or drmn 42 is mounted for rotation relative to the shaft 22, but may be driven by the shaft 22 through a sliding clutch I82. The clutch I82 is illustrated as being generally similar in'construction to the clutch 64 except that the engaging teeth are preferably square and do not have the beveled back faces as in clutch 64, and includes square teeth I84 which cooperate with square teeth I86 on the spool 42 to drive the spool. Other types of clutch means, such as a friction type, could be used as well, depending upon the particular use to which the winch is to be put. The clutch element I82 is secured to the shaft 22 for rotation therewith and for'sliding movement therealong by means of a suitable key connection.

The clutch I82 is shifted along the shaft 22 by means of a bell crank member I88 which is similar in construction to the bell crank member 66, above described. That is, the bell crank lever I88 has forked arms terminating in inwardly directed fingers which engage within an annular groove I90 in the clutch element I 82. The bell crank member I88 is pivotallymounted to the winch frame b means of a pin I92 and has its lower arm pivotally connected by a pivot pin I94 to a downwardly extending'link I96. The link I96 is pivotally connected to a crank arm I98, which is similar to the crank arm 82 above described. The crank arm I98 is fixedly secured to a shaft 200 which may be pivotally mounted within the frame members I2. The shaft 200 has fixedly secured thereto a lever 202 which is similar to lever I I4, and which has an adjustable connecting link 204 pivotally connected to the lower end thereof, at its forward end and pivotally connected at its rearward endto the lower end of lever I24. By shifting the lever I24, the clutch element I 82 is shifted into and out of driving engagement with the spool 42.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention described without departing from the spirit .and substance of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with.

the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A winch construction comprising a frame, a drive shaft mounted on said frame, a spool rotatably mounted on said shaft, said spool having a ratchet wheel connected thereto, a pawl associated with said wheel, a sliding clutch element operatively connected to said shaft and adapted to co-operate with complementary clutch elements on said spool to provide a driving connection between said spool and said shaft, a single operating lever movable to operating positions,

and means operatively connecting said lever to said pawl and to said sliding clutch, said last named means including resilient means so constructed as to urge said pawl into engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element out of engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to one of its operating positions and so constructed as to urge said pawl out of engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element into engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to another of its operating positions; the construction being such that said pawl remains in engagement with said wheel until after said clutch element is in engagement with said cooperating clutch elements and said clutch element remains in engagement with said co-operating clutch elements until after said pawl is in engagement with said wheel.

2. A winch construction comprising a frame, a driveshaft mounted on said frame, a spool rotatably mounted on said shaft, said spool having a ratchet wheel formed integral therewith, a pawl associated with said wheel, a sliding clutch element operatively connected to said shaft and adapted to co-operate with complementary clutch elements on said spool to provide a driving connection between said spool and said shaft, a single operating lever movable to operating positions,

'and means operatively connecting said lever to said pawl and to said. sliding clutch, said last named means including a shiftable rod, means resiliently connecting said shiftable rod to said pawl and to said sliding clutch element, the construction of said last named means being such as to urge said pawl into engagement with said Wheel and to urge said clutch element out of engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to .one of its operating positions and so constructed as vto urge said pawl out of engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element into engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to another of its operating positions, the construction being such that said pawl remains in engagement with said wheel until after said clutch element is in engagement with said cooperating clutch elements and said clutch ele- 'ment remains in engagement with said co-opoperating lever movable to operating positions,

and means operatively connecting said lever to said pawl and to said sliding clutch, said last named means including a shiftable rod, a link member slidably embracing said d, resilient means operatively connected tosaid rod on opposite sides of said link member providing a resilient connection between said rod and said link member, means slidably connectingsaid pawl to said rod, resilient means operatively connected to said rod on opposite sides of said pawl providing a resilient connection between said rod and said pawl, the connection being such as to urge said pawl into engagement with said Wheel and to urge said clutch element out of engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to one of its operating positions and so constructed as to urge said pawl out of engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element into engagement Wtih said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to another of its operating positions, the construction being such that said pawl remains in engagement with said wheel until after said clutch element is in engagement with said co-operating clutch elements and said clutch element remains in engagement with said co-operating clutch elements until after said pawl is in engagement with said wheel. 7

4. A winch construction com-prising a frame, a drive shaft mounted on said frame, a spool rotatably mounted on said shaft, said spool having a ratchet wheel connected'thereto, a pawl 'associated with said wheel, a sliding clutch element operatively connected to said shaft and adapted to co-operate with complementary clutch elewith said wheel and to urge said clutch element.

out of engagement withsaid co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to one of its operating positions and so constructed as to urge said pawl out of engagement with said wheel and.

to urge said clutch element into engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to another of its operating positions, the construction being such that said pawl remains in engagement with said wheel until after said clutch element is in engagement with said cooperating clutch elements at which time said pawl is snapped out of engagement with said wheel and said clutch element remains in engagement with said co-operating clutch elements until after said pawl is in engagement with said wheel, at which time said clutch element is snapped out of engagement with said co-operating clutch ele' ments;

5. A winch construction comprising a frame, a drive shaft mounted on said frame, a spool rotatably mounted on said shaft, said spool having a ratchet wheel connected thereto, a pawl associated with said wheel, a sliding clutch element operatively connected to said shaft and having clutch teeth adapted to cooperate with complementary clutch teeth on said spool, both of said teeth having substantially square driving faces adapted to engage to provide a driving connection between said spool and said shaft and both of said teeth having complementary bevelled rear faces, a single operating lever movable to operating positions, and means opefatively connecting said lever to said pawl and to said sliding clutch, said last named means including resilient means so constructed as to urge said pawl into engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element out of engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to one of its operating positions and so constructed as to urge said pawl out of engagement with said wheel and to urge said clutch element into engagement with said co-operating clutch elements when said lever is moved to another of its operating positions, the construction being such that said pawl remains in engagement with said. wheel until after said clutch element is in engagement with said cooperating clutch elements and said clutch e1ement remains in engagement with said co-operating clutch elements until after said pawl is in engagement with said wheel.

. RONALD K. HATCH. 

